Washington, June 2 - The Trump administration has proposed rolling back Biden-era limits on oil and gas drilling in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve. This reserve is the nation's largest tract of undisturbed public land.
The move aligns with Trump's energy agenda to reduce regulations and increase domestic fuel production. The proposed change targets a rule finalized by the Biden administration last year.
The Biden rule prohibited oil and gas leasing on 10.6 million acres and limited development on over 2 million additional acres. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated the Biden-era rule was inconsistent with the 1976 Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act.
The 1976 Act authorized oil and gas leasing in the area. The Interior Department said the 2024 rule ignored that mandate, prioritizing obstruction over production. The Biden administration previously stated the restrictions were to protect habitats for wildlife and Indigenous communities.